Plumbing (cutting through put holes in/for a sump) I am
making a sump from a Rubbermaid container for my 100 gallon tank. What
do I need to drill (?) or cut (?) holes into the container? Can I buy
the tool at Home Depot? <What an exciting question. Really, we
(our old service companies) used to have a "museum"
collection of such tools, materials... some really neat to work with
(for drilling through very thick acrylic especially). I would go with a
simple "hole saw" kit like those sold for fitting lock/door
knob sets in wooden doors here. If you think you might want to drill
more than one size/diameter opening, splurge on a multiple size set
with interchangeable mandrill (the pilot bit that goes in the
middle)> I know that ideally water would move through the sump from
one end to the other, entering dirty and leaving clean. However, since
I have two overflows it would be convenient for the overflows to empty
into opposite ends of the sump with the skimmer (T1000) in the middle
of the sump. <Yes, good idea> I probably will mount the return
pump (external) on the end (not the middle). I guess I'm worried
about unclean water entering and then leaving the sump, bypassing the
skimmer. What are your thoughts? <No worries... all gets about
as clean as it were going linearly/in series... Only a bit of a percent
lost in apparent "efficiency"> I have no room for a
refugium in my sump but I am considering getting one of the CPR hang
ons (24''). Will this improve my water quality? <VERY
much so. A friend who lives with us, Peter, has been
"experimenting" with these for years... Many advantages in
their use> Since I'll need to buy a CF for the refugium, is it
worth the effort and expense? <Yes, of a certainty> Thanks for
all you do Bob! <Thank you for your queries. Bob Fenner> David
Dowless

Fwd: Overflow boxes Please forgive me Bob but I did a poor
job of describing the overflow boxes I'm looking for. The kind
I'm looking for are the type you put inside the tank as if you
drilled holes in the corner of the bottom of the tank and go from the
bottom of the tank up to top. Thanks again for your time. Tom <Oh...
you have a 150 gallon All Glass tank... did you intend to drill it
yourself? There are tools for this... better done by the manufacturer
before assembling the aquarium... Through hull fittings are available
from many sources (swimming pool supply, many e-tailers, service
companies, big retailers in the interest...) and "risers" can
be made from PVC pipe, sleeves the same... towers can be formed of PVC
or acrylic sheet... Bob Fenner>